Harvest season is one of the best times of the year for brewers. Freshly picked hops are full of bright aromatics, sticky resins, and unique flavors that just don’t last once they’re dried. Brewing with them straight off the bine, known as wet hopping, lets you capture that short window of freshness and bring the hop yard right into your glass. This recipe is all about showcasing that green, vibrant character while it’s at its peak.

Unfortunately, if you do not live near a hop farm, sourcing truly fresh hops can be a challenge. That is when whole cone hops are worth trying. I was able to get super fresh whole cone hops from a somewhat nearby hop farm after I had came back from vacation they had sealed them up for me and I couldn’t wait to use them. Sometimes whole cone are the closest you can get to the harvest experience, offering a rustic, resinous character that pellets sometimes smooth over.

For this recipe, I use a five to one ratio of whole cone hops to pellets. Whole cones absorb more wort and take up more space in the kettle, so you need to use more to achieve the same bitterness and aroma. Keeping this ratio in mind helps ensure your beer has the hop character you are aiming for without losing balance.

Recipe:
Efficiency: 72%
Batch Volume: 6 gal (22.7 L)
Boil Time: 60 min
Mash Water: 4.99 gal (18.9 L)
Sparge Water: 3.34 gal (12.6 L)
Total Water: 8.33 gal (31.5 L)
Boil Volume: 7.32 gal (27.7 L)
Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.046
Vitals
Original Gravity: 1.051
Final Gravity: 1.012
IBU (Tinseth): 44
BU/GU: 0.85
Color: 3.2 SRM (6.3 EBC)
Mash
Temperature: 151 °F (66 °C) — 60 min

Malts (11 lb 5 oz / 5.15 kg)
11 lb (97.2%) — Extra Pale Premium Pilsner
5 oz (2.8%) — Carapils

Hops (7.5 oz / 213 g) REMEBER! 5:1 Ratio
1.5 oz (24 IBU / 43 g) — Cascade (Whole) 5.5% — 60 min
1 oz (8 IBU / 28 g) — Cashmere 6.1% — 10 min
1 oz (7 IBU / 28 g) — Comet 6% — 10 min
2 oz (3 IBU / 57 g) — Cashmere 6.1% — 20 min hopstand @ 160 °F (71 °C)
2 oz (2 IBU / 57 g) — Comet (Whole) 6% — 20 min hopstand @ 160 °F (71 °C)
Hopstand: 160 °F (71 °C)

Yeast
1 pkg — White Labs WLP001 California Ale Yeast
Use “MashMag” to save 5% off your order at www.yeastman.com

Brewing with whole cone hops takes a bit more effort than pellets, but the flavor and aroma make it totally worth it. This fresh hop extra pale ale really captures the feel of harvest season and shows off hops at their very best. Whether you’re lucky enough to brew with hops straight from the bine or are using whole cones, it’s a beer that’s all about celebrating the season and tastes great in every glass.

Tips and Tricks for Using Whole Cone Hops:

1. Embrace the rustic look. Whole cones can break apart and float around, giving the beer a slightly wild appearance. It does not affect flavor and is part of the charm.
   
2. Expect more absorption. Whole cones soak up more wort than pellets, so you need to use more to get the same bitterness. The five to one ratio works well.
   
3. Use a hop bag or mesh. Whole cones can clump together and make cleanup a pain. A large hop bag or mesh strainer keeps them contained and makes removing them after the boil much easier.
   
4. Break them up a little. Gently opening the cones before adding them to the kettle helps release more aroma and flavor. You do not need to crush them completely, just loosen them up.
   
5. Watch the foam. Whole cones can create extra foam early in the boil, so keep an eye on it to avoid boil-overs.
   
6. Consider timing. Add whole cones later in the boil if you want more aroma and less bitterness, or at the end of the boil or in the fermenter for the freshest hop character.
   
7. Be patient in the fermenter. If you dry hop with whole cones, give them a little extra time to infuse. The larger surface area compared to pellets means it can take a bit longer to get the full flavor.
   

By Jordan V, Billy’s Tavern Homebrewing

Jordan is a California native. When he is not brewing he can be found drinking beer with friends, duck hunting, and getting lost in a good book or video game. When he is not out on an adventure with his wife, he can be found at home with his two lovable dogs. Stay up to date by following him on Instagram.